Chris Herndon
New member
'79 Renken Bowrider (good shape) - "Fishing Boat Project" - *NEED HELP WITH '72 JOHNSON 100HP*
I have read this site numerous times, looking for answers to problems I encounter and so forth... But I've never posted on this forum, ANY HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!
I want it to be known that for about 8 years I owned a '74 Wellcraft V20 with an '82ish (I BELIEVE! - cant recall actually, but I'm pretty positive it was an early 80's!) Evinrude 140hp V4. I pretty much rebuilt the boat, but the motor had just been rebuilt when I purchased it and ran exceptionally well for the years I owned it! I DO KNOW quite a bit about motors, as I have helped rebuild a 25hp (tiller motor - Mercury Mariner) and TONS of ROAD vehicles....
That being said... Yesterday I bought a 1979 Renken Bowrider. I know the boats don't have the GREATEST name in history, but hey! I got the boat (in pretty mint condition), trailer (IN MINT CONDITION!), and a '72 Johnson 100hp for a cool $150!!! I couldn't turn it down! ESPECIALLY after I jumped a battery to it and got the starter to turn the motor over! That being said, I have just a few minor questions for yall... if you don't mind answering them for a fisherman that's ready to get back out on the bay!!
The model of the motor is the 'ol 100ESL72R - just for reference! From another post I read, I now know that the compression should be around 100lbs per cylinder (3-4 lbs: give or take). I've also learned that there is a purple wire on the "terminal block" at the top of the "exhaust baffle plate area" (between the cyl. heads). From my understanding, it goes to the powerpack and should read a good 12v's. I will be in the process of conducting these test within the next cpl days! I also know that the plugs should jump a 1/4 gap, correct?
The boat AND motor have been sitting for ABOUT 15yrs! The guy bought the boat and motor "new" from a dealership, once the throttle stopped working he covered it and ditched it for another, BRAND NEW boat... He had plans to rebuild the boat w/ his son, but obviously never got around to it!
Now that that's out the way, I just wanted to ask a couple questions that should be relatively easy to answer for some:
1. Will the motor turn over by just jumping it from a car (without a battery in the boat itself)? I don't believe it will, as I tried and the starter just spins! It WILL raise up and catch the flywheel OCCASIONALLY but instantly stops, for what I'm guessing due to a NON-SOLID connection... My Evinrude would do the exact same thing!
2. Where should I begin on the motor?! Haha... I really don't want to rebuild the ENTIRE motor if it's not necessary! What are some common problems with these motors? Should I get a new powerpack for it? He said it was replaced right before it sat for many years....
3. Can I use a newer "cable driven" (Teleflex) turning system on this old motor?? As the boat and motor is so old, it still has the "pully system" all hooked up! Which still works rather well, I just don't know if I trust it! What's the thoughts on this?
4. Also, since the throttle "failed" on the previous owner (though I don't see ANY damage with the remote/controls?!).... Can I use a newer control on the older motor? Again, any thoughts on THIS?
...... And that's really all I have to ask honestly! Haha... As I'm sure the new battery, than checking the compression, spark and fuel (once I connect the tank again - as it was removed to keep ANY water out of it) will answer a lot of questions! The prop spins freely, the flywheel turns freely as well.... I'm sure I'll have to take the carb off and thoroughly clean it inside and out! I guess it's just a matter of getting the motor to run/turn over first and than go through the check list of what needs to be replaced huh?!
Any info you can throw my way will be GREATLY appreciated!!! I miss having a boat to run around the Chesapeake Bay in!!! I miss everything about it, its been ABOUT 7 years since the Wellcraft.... that's the longest I've EVER gone without having a boat to jump in and go fishing, skiing, tubing and just cruising!
Sorry if I've over explained my situation to the extent of not wanting to answer my questions!!! lol... I just wanted everyone to know that I am a good guy, my background and I'm a person who grew up on the water! I just want me a reliable boat to teach MY lil one the ways of the water, as my Grandfather did with me!!
Much appreciation for all of the knowledge and what I've learned so far.... A direction to the land (water) of freedom, would be a blessing I've prayed about for a LONG LONG TIME!
Yours Truly and Thankfully!!!! Name's Chris!
I have read this site numerous times, looking for answers to problems I encounter and so forth... But I've never posted on this forum, ANY HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!
I want it to be known that for about 8 years I owned a '74 Wellcraft V20 with an '82ish (I BELIEVE! - cant recall actually, but I'm pretty positive it was an early 80's!) Evinrude 140hp V4. I pretty much rebuilt the boat, but the motor had just been rebuilt when I purchased it and ran exceptionally well for the years I owned it! I DO KNOW quite a bit about motors, as I have helped rebuild a 25hp (tiller motor - Mercury Mariner) and TONS of ROAD vehicles....
That being said... Yesterday I bought a 1979 Renken Bowrider. I know the boats don't have the GREATEST name in history, but hey! I got the boat (in pretty mint condition), trailer (IN MINT CONDITION!), and a '72 Johnson 100hp for a cool $150!!! I couldn't turn it down! ESPECIALLY after I jumped a battery to it and got the starter to turn the motor over! That being said, I have just a few minor questions for yall... if you don't mind answering them for a fisherman that's ready to get back out on the bay!!
The model of the motor is the 'ol 100ESL72R - just for reference! From another post I read, I now know that the compression should be around 100lbs per cylinder (3-4 lbs: give or take). I've also learned that there is a purple wire on the "terminal block" at the top of the "exhaust baffle plate area" (between the cyl. heads). From my understanding, it goes to the powerpack and should read a good 12v's. I will be in the process of conducting these test within the next cpl days! I also know that the plugs should jump a 1/4 gap, correct?
The boat AND motor have been sitting for ABOUT 15yrs! The guy bought the boat and motor "new" from a dealership, once the throttle stopped working he covered it and ditched it for another, BRAND NEW boat... He had plans to rebuild the boat w/ his son, but obviously never got around to it!
Now that that's out the way, I just wanted to ask a couple questions that should be relatively easy to answer for some:
1. Will the motor turn over by just jumping it from a car (without a battery in the boat itself)? I don't believe it will, as I tried and the starter just spins! It WILL raise up and catch the flywheel OCCASIONALLY but instantly stops, for what I'm guessing due to a NON-SOLID connection... My Evinrude would do the exact same thing!
2. Where should I begin on the motor?! Haha... I really don't want to rebuild the ENTIRE motor if it's not necessary! What are some common problems with these motors? Should I get a new powerpack for it? He said it was replaced right before it sat for many years....
3. Can I use a newer "cable driven" (Teleflex) turning system on this old motor?? As the boat and motor is so old, it still has the "pully system" all hooked up! Which still works rather well, I just don't know if I trust it! What's the thoughts on this?
4. Also, since the throttle "failed" on the previous owner (though I don't see ANY damage with the remote/controls?!).... Can I use a newer control on the older motor? Again, any thoughts on THIS?
...... And that's really all I have to ask honestly! Haha... As I'm sure the new battery, than checking the compression, spark and fuel (once I connect the tank again - as it was removed to keep ANY water out of it) will answer a lot of questions! The prop spins freely, the flywheel turns freely as well.... I'm sure I'll have to take the carb off and thoroughly clean it inside and out! I guess it's just a matter of getting the motor to run/turn over first and than go through the check list of what needs to be replaced huh?!
Any info you can throw my way will be GREATLY appreciated!!! I miss having a boat to run around the Chesapeake Bay in!!! I miss everything about it, its been ABOUT 7 years since the Wellcraft.... that's the longest I've EVER gone without having a boat to jump in and go fishing, skiing, tubing and just cruising!
Sorry if I've over explained my situation to the extent of not wanting to answer my questions!!! lol... I just wanted everyone to know that I am a good guy, my background and I'm a person who grew up on the water! I just want me a reliable boat to teach MY lil one the ways of the water, as my Grandfather did with me!!
Much appreciation for all of the knowledge and what I've learned so far.... A direction to the land (water) of freedom, would be a blessing I've prayed about for a LONG LONG TIME!
Yours Truly and Thankfully!!!! Name's Chris!